The total area size of Idaho is 83,642 sq mi (equal to 216,632 sq km). The state is 305 miles wide (491 km) and 479 miles long (771 km).

Geographical Information

The water area is 0.98% and its latitude is 42 degrees, N to 49 degrees N. The longitude has been determined to be 111 degrees, 03’ W to 117 degrees, 15’ W. The highest elevation point is Borah Peak at 12,668 ft (3,862 m). The lowest point is at Snake River; it is 710 ft (217 m). The mean is 5,000 ft (1,524 m).

Population Size

As of 2005, Idaho’s population was 1,429,096. This was a 2.4% increase from the year 2000. This makes Idaho the sixth fastest growing state in America. From 2004 to 2005 though, the size of Idaho’s population grew to the extent it became the third fastest.

Historical records show that in 1870, its population was only 14,999. 20 years later in 1890, the numbers had risen to 88,548. By 1900, it had gone over the 160,000 mark (161,772). By 1910 the population had doubled to 325,594.

In 1930 the figure reached 445,032 and in 1940 crossed the half a million level (524,873). In 1960, Idaho’s population size reached 667,191; in 1970 it was 712,567 and by the 1990s had reached 1,006,749. In 2000 the figure reached 1,293,953.

Cities and Urbanized Areas

The largest city in Idaho (in terms of population) is Boise with over 100,000 residents. An examination of the size of Idaho’s cities and urbanized areas will show several have populations of over 30,000. These include Idaho Falls, Pocatello, Caldwell, Lewiston and Twin Falls. Some of its smaller cities include Buhl, Bonners Ferry, Arco, Homedale and Middleton.

Counties

The state is segregated into counties or political jurisdictions. There are 44 of them. The biggest is Idaho which measures 8,502 sq m (population 15,488). Next is Owyhee which measures 7,697 sq m (population 10,877).

A close look at the size of Idaho’s counties will show that a large area size does not necessarily correspond to a large population. Benewah County is 784 sq m with a population of 9,352. Boise County measures 1,907 sq m with a population of 7,504. Boundary County’s area is 1,278 sq m (population 10,962). Fremont County is 1,892 sq m (pop: 12,551).

The sq m area for Lincoln County is 1,206 with a population of 4,503. Washington County is 1,474 sq m (pop 10,208); Bear Lake (1,049 sq m; pop: 5,798) and Twin Falls 1,928 sq m (pop: 74,284). Overall, the total area is 87,530 sq miles. The population estimates given are for the year 2008.

Regardless of the size of Idaho’s urbanized areas, a ski resort is bound to be present. Whitewater rafting, snow oriented sports and kayaking are part of the lifestyle here. For this reason, the state has become synonymous with outdoor activities.